I-mate, major international vendor of Windows Mobile devices since 2003, will introduce six innovative machines based on the new Windows Mobile 5.0 (WM 5) OS and software suite: two Smartphones, one Pocket PC, and three new Pocket PC Phone Edition devices.
One of the most noticeable changes in the WM 5 user interface is the addition of two "soft keys," which are displayed at the bottom of the screen and give the user access to commonly used features quickly and easily. Smartphones have always had soft keys, but they are not found on all Windows Mobile devices. On Pocket PCs and Phone Edition devices you can tap on the touch screen to activate the soft keys. In addition, two of the hardware buttons on Phone Edition devices have been assigned to activate them. (A more thorough discussion of the features of the Windows Mobile 5.0 user interface can be found in the July 2005 issue of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine: http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_... .) In addition, i-mate adds some useful applications to its devices, including Camera (on devices with integrated cameras only), ClearView PDF viewer, Club i-mate Mail, CommManager, Download Agent, eTrust Antivirius, MIDlet Manager, ModemLink, Pictures and Videos, SIM Manager, Skype, Voice Speed Dial, and Zip.
I'm always in search of the perfect pocket companion, and am still not sure whether I should pack a regular Pocket PC and mobile phone, or go with a converged handheld like the Smartphone or Phone Edition devices. Fortunately, i-mate provides many exceptional choices.
The JASJAR is the Rolls Royce of converged handhelds, not only because it's one of the most expense ($1,200), but because it has outstanding features. With its swivel screen, built-in QWERTY keyboard, and integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth it has all the features of a (very small) Tablet PC. And it's also a Phone Edition device with an unlocked 3G-capable GSM/GPRS phone built into it. (All of i-mate's GSM phones are unlocked, allowing you to swap SIM cards from your existing GSM wireless service.) The JASJAR is based on the HTC Universal and I won't go into more detail about it here because the Universal was reviewed twice in the September 2005 issue (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_...).
Weighing a little over 10 ounces, it's one of the heaviest Windows Mobile devices available. This is due mainly to the swivel screen design and built-in keyboard. And though rich in features, it only has a single SD card slot and a 520 MHz processor. (For $1,200 I think they should have included two card slots and the faster 624 MHz processor. Finally, it's a little awkward to hold up to your ear and use as a mobile phone. I prefer setting it on my desk and using its built-in speakerphone whenever possible.
You can fold the JASJAR's display over the keyboard and use it as traditional Phone Edition device. However, if you look closely at the photo you'll notice that there are no Call, End, or application launch buttons on the face of the device. These illuminated buttons are located on the side edge of the device for easy access regardless of the position of the screen.
The JASJAR is still an amazing piece of equipment with lots of WOW appeal. For some users (especially those with smaller fingers), it would be a reasonable alternative to a laptop. As such, the $1,200 price tag becomes more justifiable.
Considerably smaller than the JASJAR, the K-JAM is one of the successors to the popular JAM, a Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition device. Like the JAM, it has a GSM/GPRS phone built into it. But unlike the JAM, it also has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, making it slightly thicker than its predecessor. The K-JAM is one of the smallest Phone Edition units available. Its 2.8-inch display is smaller than most Pocket PC screens, but much larger than those found on cell phones. The end result is a credible convergence device that not only fits in your hand easily but also snuggles comfortably against your ear during phone calls. In addition, I appreciate that there's no unsightly antenna sticking out of the top.
The K-JAM's keyboard is designed to be used with your thumbs. If you set the unit on a flat surface and attempt to touch type with your fingers, the weight of the screen tips it backwards. This makes it awkward and unstable to use unless you are holding it in both hands and typing with your thumbs. I'm not a big fan of integrated keyboards anyway. I can tap with my stylus faster than I can type with my thumbs.
The K-JAM has Call and End buttons flanking the navigation pad, and hardware buttons above them assigned to the soft keys. Two additional application launch buttons are located above the display, assigned to Messaging (left) and Internet Explorer Mobile (right).
Following a Smartphone trend, the K-JAM offers memory expansion only via mini-SD card slot located on the top of the unit next to the power button. Following a Phone Edition trend, the K-JAM is powered by a rather puny 200 MHz processor. (It worked OK as a phone, but it drove me crazy waiting for screens to appear when using it as a PDA.). Is there some rule that says a Pocket PC phone cannot have a fast processor? The device has 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash ROM, the same as the JASJAR and about normal for WM 5 Phone Edition devices.
Located on the lower left edge of the device is a button for activating the built-in 1.3 megapixel camera, another for recording voice memos, one for adjusting sound level, and another for invoking the Communications Manager. On the upper left side there is a button for invoking the Voice Command function for initiating calls and launching applications.
As mentioned, I wish the K-JAM had a more powerful processor. But its size and functionality make it a decent convergent device. In my opinion, the K-JAM and other Phone Edition devices would be fine without a keyboard. That would reduce their size, weight, … and hopefully their price tags.
The PDA-N is a traditional Pocket PC with integrated IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity, and a built-in GPS receiver. It has all the standard WM 5 software as well as the value-added software mentioned in the introduction. While this unit does not have a built-in mobile phone, it does have Skype VoIP software installed. This allows you to use the device as a phone when there is a Wi-Fi connection available. The PDA-N is powered by a 300 MHz Samsung processor and has 32MB of RAM, 128MB of flash ROM, a single SD card slot, and an integrated 1.3 MP camera that lets you take snapshots and videos.
Judging on the pricing of other i-mate models, this machine will undoubtedly be on the high end of the scale, probably around $700 when it becomes available on the American market in the second quarter of 2006. This is a feature-packed PDA that provides a wide range of functions. It should appeal to a person who doesn't need an integrated phone and wants a device with built-in GPS capability. Integrated Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and VoIP capability are also a plus.
The SP5 Smartphone has an exceptionally bright, crisp, clear, and colorful display. The 2.25 inch diagonal screen is large for a mobile phone. It's a true QVGA screen (320x240 pixels) capable of displaying 64K colors. It uses transflective TFT screen technology, which gives a good indoor/outdoor viewing experience.
The SP5 sports a mini-SD card located under the battery next to the SIM card. The slot can be used to add file storage capacity to the device, but its internal location makes it more difficult to swap mini-SD cards in and out. The device also includes integrated Bluetooth, which lets you connect to a wireless headset and other peripherals, and has a 1.3 mega pixel camera capable of capturing snapshots and short videos.
Bluetooth and digital cameras are standard fare these days on Windows Mobile Smartphones. Not so standard is the Wi-Fi capability built into the SP5.With it, you can seriously consider this Smartphone as a viable alternative to a bulkier Pocket PC. With an optional external keyboard, you can write a novel using your SP5. With a Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver, you can navigate with it. In fact, you can do just about anything on this device that you can do on a Pocket PC. In my mind, all this functionality justifies the relatively high purchase price of $649. This unit is available now.
The i-mate SP5-m Smartphone has the same features as the SP5, but comes in a gray case with more rounded corners at the top. The only significant difference is the extra row of four large round buttons located below the display, which support the Smartphone's media-related functions. These include a button that launches Internet Explorer Mobile, and buttons to control Media Player Mobile functions. The SP5-m is also priced at $649. If you're looking for a Smartphone with iPod-like features, you'll want to take a closer look at this one.
JAMMIN
The JAMMIN is the other successor to the JAM. Unlike the K-JAM, this one doesn't have a keyboard and is, therefore, much slimmer. In addition, unlike the K-JAM and the original JAM, the JAMMIN has built-in Wi-Fi capability.
JAMMIN has similar specs as the K-JAM but a slightly different button arrangement, with all the buttons clustered beneath the screen. The only other difference is that it has an SD expansion card slot instead of a mini-SD card. The price is to be determined, but my guess is that it will be in the $600-700 range. JAMMIN is currently available in Europe in limited quantities and will be available in the U.S. sometime in the second quarter of 2006.
The things I like about these devices
I-mate has certainly jumped into the North American PDA market with both feet. All of the phone-enabled devices mentioned in this article use GSM/GPRS technology, and require a SIM card to activate. I-mate sells its phones as "unlocked" devices, which means you should be able to use the SIM card from your current GSM/GPRS wireless carrier. We recommend that you check with your wireless carrier before buying, to make sure the network and device are compatible.
I-mate devices are more expensive than similar devices sold directly by wireless carriers. This is partly because wireless carriers subsidize the cost of the phones they sell with money they take in via the one or two-year service contracts you have to buy. You pay less for the device up front, but the carrier makes its money back in monthly payments over one to two years.
In my estimation, these feature-rich devices justify their higher price tags. First of all, the fact that these are unlocked devices means that you can select the GSM carrier and service contract you want. In addition, bundling useful software with these devices adds value and functionality. For example, adding Skype to the devices enables VoIP capability (i.e., making phone calls over an Internet connection). This can save you money on your cellphone bills.
Using the same mini-USB connection on all their units is a welcome decision. It means that I can use the same cable for Smartphone and PDA. And, if I buy a new unit, I don't have to get a new set of peripherals. I wish everyone implemented this practical and sensible idea.
I also appreciate that all of the phone devices have an internal antenna-there's no annoying nub sticking out of the top of the device, like a wart on a witch's nose.
Finally, offering Wi-Fi and GPS-enabled Smartphones is great idea.
Some improvements needed
With the money you're spending on these unlocked devices, I'm surprised that a data/sync cradle is not a standard accessory. Also, I was disappointed with the customer support. The company offers an online support through the Club i-mate Web site (http://www.imate.com). This is a good idea, but the site is not all that well developed yet. In addition to product information, it offers a Club Support section, which provides links to FAQs for the different devices, some not-very-active support forums, service centers, and a download section for software updates. There is even a "live support" feature that lets you chat with a tech support person. Unfortunately, I was not able to make it work. I'd log on, ask my question, and wait. After 20 minutes or so of inactivity it would time out on me. There is no phone number to call for customer support, but I was able to find a support e-mail link hidden in the corporate section of the Web site (support@imate.com). Even then it took four days to get a reply.
Needless to say, when people are paying top dollar for a device, they expect to get good support. I-mate is aware of this problem and tells me that it is doing everything possible to correct the situation as it becomes established in the United States. Hopefully, this will happen by the time these units become available in the U.S., in second quarter of 2006.
Based on my first-hand experience, I can certainly vouch for the quality of these new devices and appreciate the range of possibilities they offer users. Unfortunately, all six of these new devices are delightful-I still can't decide whether to pack a Pocket PC, a Phone Edition device, or a Smartphone.
I-mate Smartphones, Pocket PCs, and Phone Edition devices are available from a number of online retailers, including Amazon.com, Expansys.com, iMatePhoneStore.com, and others. In addition, the company recently signed deals with two of the largest mobile device distributors: CellStar and InfoSonix. You'll soon be seeing these Windows Mobile devices on the shelves of major retailers.
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